Sondra Von Arb, 85, Owatonna

Sondra LeeAnn (Miller) Von Arb of Owatonna, died on Friday July 18, 2025, at Timberdale Trace in Owatonna.

She was born Dec. 11, 1939, in Mankato, to George and Corrine (Pickel) Miller.

Sondra attended school in St. Clair and was a member of the graduating class of 1957. She was very active in high school. She participated in many extra-curricular activities. She was voted Homecoming Queen her senior year.

She later attended Mankato State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees in nursing.

She was united in marriage to Ronald James Von Arb of Alton, Iowa, on June 27, 1959, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair. They had two children: Rochelle (Shelly) and Brian.

Ron and Sondra lived in Mankato where she was the director and instructor of the LPN Nursing Program at Mankato Vo-Tech School. She also taught Nursing at Mankato State University. While raising her children, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato and Children’s Hospital in St. Paul.

She was deeply devoted to her nursing career and her family. She made Mankato her home with Ron until later moving to Madison Lake, and then Owatonna. She was an avid reader, and loved traveling, the lake life, puzzles, gardening, crocheting, and frequent card playing. She was talented in the kitchen and loved the Christmas holidays.

Her accomplishments include writing an LPN Student Handbook and also a “How To” handbook for hosting Exchange Students.

Sondra always said one of the main reasons she worked was to be able to travel. Over the years, they traveled to several states, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Iowa! They ventured to Europe, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. She dared herself to try skydiving in Texas and loved it.

To know Sondra is to know that Grandparents for Education in Owatonna was her passion for more than ten years. Supporting political candidates who she felt could make a difference was also important to her.

Sondra is survived by children Rochelle (Tim) Chicos, and Brian (Carmi) Von Arb; five grandchildren: Perry (Emily) Chicos, Hannah (Daniel) Borup, Lauren (Dylan) Vandal, Maria (Mitch) Leonard, and Zach (Amber) Von Arb; three great-grandchildren: Quinn, Oliver, and Hazen; and siblings: Thomas (Nancy) Miller, Joan (Jerry) Stalberger, Douglas Miller, and Daniel (Valerie) Miller.

She was preceded in death by husband, Ron, parents, George and Corrine Miller, and siblings: Bruce Miller, Jerrilyn (Cookie) Wilking, and John Miller.

Funeral Services will be Friday, July 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 120 Church St., St. Clair). Friends may greet the family beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Organization or any dementia-related charitable organization is encouraged. For more information or to leave an online condolence message, to www.megercares.com.

The Von Arb/Chicos Families thank you!